In a dazzling display of speed and composure, Nigeria’s rising sprint sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi has blazed his way into the men’s 100m final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, becoming the first Nigerian man in 18 years to achieve this feat.
Ajayi, who turned 21 today, clocked a blistering 9.93 seconds to finish second in his semifinal heat, just behind defending world champion Noah Lyles of the USA (9.92s). The performance not only secured his place in the final but also marked his sixth career sub-10s run, reinforcing his status as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Ajayi’s qualification breaks an 18-year drought since Olusoji Fasuba last made the 100m final for Nigeria in 2007. With a personal best of 9.88s set earlier in the heats, Ajayi now ranks as Nigeria’s third fastest man of all time, inching closer to Fasuba’s national record of 9.85s.